Eugene, Ore. – Kassandra McCalister posted a career-high 29 points, but Oregon defeated UC Irvine, 89-77 at the Global Sports Cage Classic at the Matthew Knight Arena Friday.
McCalister, a senior guard for the Anteaters, was 8-16 from the floor, including four three-pointers as well as 9-10 from the free throw line for her career-best 29 points. She also led UCI with seven rebounds and added four assists and two steals in 28 minutes of action. Her 29 points ties Jacquelyn Marshall for the most points scored in a game this season.
UCI junior forward Jazmyne White totaled 15 points and six rebounds, while freshman forward Methlyn Onogomuho added 10 points, six boards and a game-high four steals. Sophomore forward Jacquelyn Marshall and sophomore guard Kelly Meggs recorded six points a piece. Sophomore forward Pernilla Hanson had five points, six rebounds and three steals and senior guard Kiara Belen pitched in four points and five rebounds.
Oregon had five players in double-figures led by Amanda Johnson and Jordan Loera with 17 points each. Johnson grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Both Jasmin Holliday and Deanna Weaver added 11 points and Ariel Thomas had 10 points.
McCalister dominated the first half, scoring 18 points, six rebounds and two steals in 15 minutes of action. The teams remained close until Oregon scored seven unanswered to take a 19-12 advantage with 9:50 remaining in the first half. McCalister then scored nine of UCI's next 11 points to tie the score at 25-25 at 6:08. A Methlyn Onogomuho rebound put-back gave UCI a 31-28 lead at 1:57, but the Ducks would score the final five points of the half and go into the locker room with a 33-31 lead.
UCI had a slow start to the second half and Oregon took advantage, shooting 9-17 from the field, including four three-pointers to out-score the Anteaters 26-8 and build a 59-39 lead with 11:30 to play. The Anteaters would close within 11 (83-72) on back-to-back three-pointers by McCalister and Kelly Meggs with 1:56 remaining, but the Ducks would score the next four to bring the cushion back to 15 (87-72) with a minute to play.
Both teams shot well in the second half with Oregon hitting 56.8 percent (21-37) in the final 20 minutes and 50.7 (34-67) for the game and UCI shooting 54.8 percent (17-31) after intermission and 43.8 percent (28-64) overall. Oregon was 12-25 from three-point range, hitting 8-11 (72.7) in the second half. The Anteaters hit a season-high eight three-pointers and 15 steals and recorded a season-low 19 turnovers.
Tournament host Oregon remains undefeated at 5-0, while UC Irvine goes to1-5 overall.
The tournament takes a one day hiatus and returns on Sunday (Nov. 27) as UC Irvine takes on Weber State at 11:30 a.m.
